September 15, 2025

The Michigan Tech College of Engineering welcomes 13 new faculty members across six departments for the 2025-26 academic year. These new researchers and educators bring a wealth of experience and expertise in such fields as computational fluid dynamics, autonomous machines and vehicles, artificial intelligence, freshwater management and more.

With experience in both industry and academia, the new faculty members will continue the College’s mission to deliver world-class education and lead researcher endeavors critical to Michigan, the nation and the world.

Meet COE's new faculty on the College of Engineering Blog.

Have questions about the Research Excellence Fund (REF)? Planning to submit a proposal to either the Research Seed or Scholarship and Creativity Grant? The Research Development office is scheduling virtual office hours on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 2-4 p.m. to answer any questions you may have via Zoom.

To sign up for the office hours, please email REF-l@mtu.edu and you will be added to the calendar invite.

Keep in mind that proposals must be started and routed for approval in Cayuse by the internal deadline of Sept. 30. Final proposals are due no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 7, and must be uploaded electronically in Cayuse. This due date will be strictly enforced based on the timestamp marked in the Cayuse system. Early submission is encouraged.

For additional information, see the Research Excellence Fund webpage. Questions can be directed to REF-l@mtu.edu.

First, a big thank-you to Michigan Tech's research community for your continued cooperation with the Sponsored Programs Pre-Award team's internal deadline policy.

We're noticing a growing trend that many collaborating institutions now require significantly more lead time to prepare subrecipient documentation. For example, Michigan State University currently requires 10 weeks' notice to prepare the necessary materials for inclusion in our proposals and SUNY ESF requires 20 business days' notice.

Note: Discussing requirements with your co-principal investigators doesn't always reach the right administrative contacts at their institutions. To avoid delays and help your co-PIs meet our deadlines, please complete your Intent to Submit and include any subrecipient's administrative contact information as early in the process as possible.

MTU Subrecipient Deadline Reminder:
If fully authorized subrecipient documentation is not received at least 10 business days before the sponsor deadline, we cannot include the subrecipient in your proposal. This will prevent us from including your co-PI and their CV, facilities, budget, etc.

Thank you to all for your dedication to MTU research and technological solutions for tomorrow!

Michigan Technological University is dedicated to providing equal opportunity for all students, employees and members of the public, including those with disabilities, who access our services, programs and activities. This includes providing equal access to University information and communication technologies (ICT) such as University systems, websites, electronic documents and educational and training materials.

Collectively, the Michigan Tech community strives to make University ICT accessible to and usable for everyone. Individuals with visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive and other disabilities are often denied access to digital content by unintended barriers. By following accessible technology guidelines and procedures, the technologies we choose, use and create can be accessible to all.

• University Administrative Policy 1.15 Accessible Information and Communication Technology Policy  

Michigan Tech has adopted the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 A/AA conformance level to measure, coordinate and implement compliance with the University's Accessible ICT Policy. Electronic documents must comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines and success criteria as applied to non-HTML ICT content. Additionally, electronic documents must also comply with the rules set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice on April 8, 2024. This includes the need for all electronic documents (examples include course materials, flowcharts, poster advertisements, etc.) to be made accessible, regardless of an accessible companion HTML webpage. 

Visit the Accessible Technology webpage for procedures, information and resources. This webpage is updated regularly with resources and helpful information, so be sure to visit often. Also, please share this information with your student employees.

For more information on accessible information and communication technology, please contact:

• Jeff Toorongian, Campus ICT Accessibility Coordinator
• Amy Blake, Communication and Accessibility Manager
• Desiree Valle, Web Developer: Accessibility
• Eric Minaker, Associate Director of Web Technology

​​​​​​​If you would like information on how to request employment or classroom accommodations, please contact:

• Employees: ADA Coordinator — adacoordinator@mtu.edu or 906-487-3310
• Students: Student Disability Services — sds@mtu.edu or 906-487-3558

From today, Sept. 15, through Oct. 6, Michigan Tech students will have the opportunity to complete the American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), a confidential survey that provides critical insights into students' health behaviors, habits and perceptions.

Faculty and staff play a key role in encouraging student participation, helping ensure that the survey results reflect the needs and experiences of the campus community. Participation is voluntary, takes around 15 minutes and directly informs the development of programs and services that support student health and well-being.

Let students know they should look out for an email from National College Health Assessment (sent from ncha-web@acha.org) with a link to complete the survey.

Thank you for helping students make their voices heard. For more information, visit the National College Health Assessment website or contact Josh Carlson, outreach and prevention coordinator, at joshuaca@mtu.edu.

Do you know a student who is passionate about tackling climate change and ready to develop the skills to make a real difference? Please share with them the NextGen Climate Leadership Award opportunity that offers Michigan Tech students a unique opportunity to invest in their future as climate changemakers.

Thanks to a generous alumni donation, this fund supports current full-time Michigan Tech students at any academic level who want to build networks, develop competencies and strengthen their leadership capacity around climate change solutions. Up to $1,000 is available per student.

For more details and a link to the application, please visit the Sustainability Blog.

Note: Graduate students seeking funding directly related to their research and presenting their research at conferences should first explore funding through their academic departments.

No matter where you are in life — just getting started or planning for retirement — a session with a financial consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And, there's no cost for a consultation as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
• How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Matthew Bunch from the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech's campus for one-on-one sessions from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3. MTU employees can schedule time slots with Bunch at the Lakeshore Center (Conference Room 201) and at the MUB Greenstone Room (MUB 106A) during his time here.

RSVP today, as space is limited. You can register for a session with TIAA directly by logging in to your TIAA or guest account, then searching for "Michigan Tech" in the Institution field. When asked how you would like to meet, select "In Person at My Employer."

You can also register for a meeting by calling TIAA at 800-732-8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Dive in with us! Registration for MTU Aquatics' PADI Open Water SCUBA Course is open now!

This SCUBA diving course is conducted over two weekends. Oct. 10-12 is the first weekend, which includes 10 hours of academic instruction (with some coursework to be completed independently) and 10 hours of confined water training in the SDC Pool. The second weekend is for certification dives in Lake Superior at a Marquette location, and students are offered a choice between Oct. 18-19 or Oct. 25-26.

Upon registration, students will be given all required reading material and paperwork to complete prior to the start of the course. Class size is limited.

For more information or to register, visit the SCUBA course page on Michigan Tech Recreation's website.

Questions? Contact MTU Aquatics at 906-487-2995 or email aquatics@mtu.edu.

Join the Department of Humanities (HU) on Tuesdays at noon for our fall 2025 Reading Group on Early Christian Thought! We are discussing St. Augustine of Hippo's "Confessions."

This reading group is hosted by Trish Grosse Brewer (HU). Brewer’s educational background is in philosophy and religion, and her research focuses on the thought of Augustine of Hippo.

Augustine's "Confessions" is considered to be the first autobiography. In it, a middle-aged bishop gives an account from his birth to his conversion to Christianity and the death of his mother. The book concludes with an exploration of the first three books of Genesis. We will determine our reading pace together in the first meeting. We will use the Chadwick translation.

No prior knowledge of Augustine, theology, ethics or Christianity is required — this reading group is open to all! 

Contact Brewer at tgbrewer@mtu.edu with questions. 

Event Details:

• What: Reading Group on Early Christian Thought (discussing St. Augustine of Hippo’s "Confessions")
• When: Weekly on Tuesdays at noon
• Where: Walker 120C on Tuesday, Sept. 16 (moving to Walker's third floor Petersen Library after renovations finish)

The Michigan Tech community is invited to a local celebration of the International Day of Peace on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. at Bridgeview Park in Houghton. 

Keweenaw Faiths United has organized a short program, music and creation of a collective prayer flag installment. People are invited to write messages or prayers for peace in Sharpie marker on provided peace flags prior to the event. Individuals and spiritual organizations from the campus and local community are then invited to either bring the flags to the event itself or drop them off in advance at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 1100 College Ave. 

This is intended to be a peaceful, nonpolitical event for the sake of building up community. 

Contact Miriam Pickens at miriampickens1994@gmail.com or Pastor Sarah Semmler Smith at pastor@goodshepherd906.org with questions.

Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University is hosting the C-Cubed Luncheon for the 2025-26 academic year. C-Cubed will be held on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

Menu for Thursday, Sept. 18:

• Fajita Style Chicken Thighs (PR)
• Steak Fajita (PR)
• Portobello Fajita (VG, CF)
• Flour Tortillas (VG)
• Tortilla Soup (V, AG, PR)
• Sopapillas
• Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese (V, AG), Pico de Gallo (VG, AG), Sour
  Cream (V, AG), Cuban Black Beans (VG), Spanish Rice (VG, AG)

The C-Cubed lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by the catering culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea and desserts are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $16 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office (MUB 101). Meals are dine-in only and personal containers/tupperware or to-go meals are not permitted.

• Submit C-Cubed Feedback • Sign Up to Receive Weekly Menus

The Pavlis Honors College invites faculty, staff and students to join us today, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m. in M&M 722 for a timely conversation with Michigan Tech alumnus Bob Doyle, president and CEO of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) and Pavlis External Advisory Board Member.

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, how leaders make decisions, and the skills professionals will need in the future. In this session, Doyle will discuss what it means to lead in the midst of technological disruption and how industries — including accounting, business, engineering and beyond — are adapting to change.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and to share this opportunity with students. The session will provide valuable insights into the future of work, professional ethics and leadership in an AI-driven world. A Q&A will follow the discussion, giving participants the chance to engage directly with Doyle.

Questions? Please email honors@mtu.edu.

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) will host a seminar by Kristin Cetin, associate professor of civil engineering at Michigan State University, titled "Evolving Occupant Behavior and Smart Buildings." 

The seminar is open to all interested Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff, and will take place on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. in Dow 875.

This program/lecture is partially funded/sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program, which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the State of Michigan's King Chávez-Parks Initiative.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Luca Moriconi from Instituto de Física Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro will present at this week's Physics Colloquium.

Moriconi's presentation is titled "Circulation is all Around: a Vortex Gas Picture of Turbulence​​​​​​​."

The seminar will be presented at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in Fisher 139. A coffee hour will be held prior to the colloquium at 3:30 p.m. in the Fisher Hall Lobby.

Read Moriconi's abstract and bio at the University Events Calendar.

Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Famer Ken Naples passed away on Sept. 6 at the age of 84.

Naples played both football and hockey while at Michigan Tech; however, football was where he made his most notable contribution. He was a four-year letter winner on the gridiron (1962-65) where he was a four-year starter as a tackle on offense, an inside linebacker on defense, and played on all seven special teams' units. According to coach Bill Lucier, there were many games when Naples played the entire 60 minutes.

Read more about Naples and find a link to his full obituary at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Inside Climate News quoted Jared Wolfe (CFRES) in a story about the Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree and the dark sky movement in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. Wolfe explained how light pollution disrupts migratory birds, which rely on celestial cues to navigate at night, and highlighted efforts to reduce bird mortality from building collisions.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Tan Chen (ECE) and Michigan Tech students Danny Ezzo, Ingrid Halverson and Parker Courte-Rathwell in a story about a moonwalk simulator showcased at the Minnesota State Fair's STEM Day. The NASA-funded project let visitors experience walking in low gravity while highlighting STEM careers. The story was picked up by the Mining Journal.

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MLive quoted Carsten Külheim (CFRES) in a story about fall colors arriving early in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Külheim explained that early cold nights in August prompted sugar maples, birch, and aspen to begin changing color ahead of their usual schedule.

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Keweenaw Report and My UP Now quoted Mariana Nakashima and Christian Montesinos (both IPS) in stories about Michigan Tech's upcoming Parade of Nations. The annual event will take place Sept. 20 and will feature more than a thousand students from 57 countries.

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The Daily Mining Gazette, Iron Mountain Daily News, Escanaba Daily Press and WLUC TV6 quoted MTU student Donald Chapman in stories about the Young Americans for Freedom's 9/11 memorial. The student group annually places 2,977 American flags on Walker Lawn to honor the lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

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Radio Results Network and the Mining Journal mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about fall 2025 enrollment. Tech welcomed 1,601 new first-year and transfer students, a 6% increase from last year, bringing the total enrollment to more than 7,400.

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Wisconsin's Waupaca County News mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about goats being used to clear invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle along the one-mile Lyman Dayton Trail. The article cited Michigan Tech research noting that goats' digestive systems prevent invasive plant seeds from germinating, making them a natural tool for habitat restoration.

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The Daily Mining Gazette mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the redevelopment of two historic buildings in downtown Calumet. The Quello Block, which once housed attorneys during the 1913 copper strike, will be transformed into a 17-room hotel with a restaurant and conference center.

Join the Fun: Kick Off the Year with Michigan Tech's Staff Council!

Get ready to kick off the year with Michigan Tech's Staff Council! We're rolling out the welcome mat for new members and would love to have you join us at noon tomorrow, Sept. 16, in the MUB Alumni Lounge.

This isn't just any meeting — it's a chance to meet fellow staff from across the University, make your voice heard and be part of something bigger! Our special guest, Richard Koubek, Michigan Tech president, will share exciting updates about the future of the University. And yes, we'll have delicious chocolate fondue to fuel the fun!

The Staff Council, founded in 1991, is a powerhouse of staff members dedicated to making our work environment the best it can be. We celebrate each other's achievements, support professional development and organize amazing events like Family Fun Day, Professional Development Day and the Making a Difference Awards.

By joining, you'll have opportunities to serve on committees, help shape important campus initiatives and contribute to some of the University's coolest traditions — like the employee wall calendar!

As a reminder, union-represented employees are entitled to release time for professional development activities, including staff recognition programs deemed relevant by the University. Employees should work with their supervisors to ensure coverage during their absence. Supervisors may contact Human Resources for guidance on eligibility and the process for granting this release time.

So, mark your employee wall calendar and get ready to dive into something truly rewarding. We can't wait to see you there!

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Sign Up for a Lean White Belt Virtual Workshop

The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) is offering a virtual workshop where you can earn a Lean White Belt.

The workshop, titled "Processes, Flow, and Waste: Lean Fundamentals," will be offered twice this year:

• Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon

In this fun and interactive workshop, you'll practice visualizing the fundamental Lean concepts of a smooth workflow and the types of waste that may interrupt that flow, and see how you can apply these concepts to your job right away. These tools can assist you in your efforts to create the best possible experience for students, faculty, staff and other customers. Lean White Belt certification is awarded to those who satisfactorily complete all requirements for this workshop.

See the workshop description and register by completing our brief Upcoming Michigan Tech Lean Courses form or visit our website. Once registered, we'll add you to a calendar event for the course.

In this workshop, we'll use some online tools, Zoom and Miro, that will enable us to work as a team to solve a problem together. Miro is a virtual collaboration tool, similar to a virtual whiteboard. Learn more about how to use Miro at the Miro Academy Essentials course. The course is considered complete after attending the workshop and submitting a couple of brief activities to demonstrate application of concepts. A Lean White Belt certification will be awarded after meeting all requirements. There's no cost to Michigan Tech employees.

This stand-alone workshop is part of the Lean Basics workshop series. It can be taken independently, or, if you complete the requirements for all five workshops in the series, we'll award you a Lean Yellow Belt certificate!

For more information, email improvement@mtu.edu.

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EPSSI Seminar with Daisy Ning

Daisy Ning, assistant professor in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Tech, will give a talk as part of the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) Fall 2025 Seminar Series today, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. in GLRC 202. A social with refreshments will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the GLRC Lobby.

The title of the talk is "Integrating Subsurface Modeling and Monitoring for Sustainable Geoenergy Futures."

Read Ning's abstract and bio on the University Events Calendar.

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PsyHF Hosting M&M Grand Opening Celebration

Please join the Department of Psychology and Human Factors (PsyHF) today, Sept. 15, from 3-5 p.m. for the grand opening of our new home in the Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M).

Guided tours, cake and coffee will provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details:

• What: Department of Psychology and Human Factors Grand Opening
• When: Monday, Sept. 15, from 3-5 p.m.
• Where: M&M Third Floor (enter the M&M through the door on the north side of Cliff Drive, then take the elevator down to the third floor)

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CQP Distinguished Lecture Series with Tadeusz Stacewicz

Professor Tadeusz Stacewicz from the University of Warsaw, Poland, will present a three-part lecture series as part of the Elizabeth and Richard Henes Center for Quantum Phenomena (CQP) Distinguished Lecture Series this week in Fisher 131.

Stacewicz's lecture series is titled "Laser-based investigation of water and other atmospheric constituents."

Dates/Times:

• Lecture 1 — Monday, Sept. 15, from 3-4 p.m.
• Lecture 2 — Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 3-4 p.m.
• Lecture 3 — Friday, Sept. 19, from 3-4 p.m.

From the abstract:
Measuring trace amounts of atmospheric constituents is an essential field of science. Researchers actively use its achievements in industry, agriculture, medicine, and environmental protection projects. Recently, optical methods of atmospheric monitoring have been rapidly progressing, especially the laser methods. This progress was possible due to the rapid developments in optoelectronics. I intend to introduce the audience to these methods during three lecture series.

In the first lecture, Stacewicz will discuss the properties of laser radiation and basic optical phenomena (absorption, fluorescence, Rayleigh, and Raman scattering) used in trace gas detection. He will describe how they can be applied to measure the amount of water in human breath.

The second lecture will be about advanced optical methods: wavelength modulation, photoacoustics, multi-pass, and cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Students will learn how to use them in ultrasensitive hygrometry and other gas detection.

The third lecture will cover remote as well as cumulative detection methods. Stacewicz will discuss lidar technologies and their application in air research. He will provide details about the experiments he conducted in laboratories at the University of Warsaw using the abovementioned methods.

Stacewicz is a professor in the Department of Physics, University of Warsaw, Poland. His scientific interests are in the field of optics, laser spectroscopy, methods for trace matter detection, laser-generated plasma and lidar techniques. Presently, his work is focused on disease biomarkers detection in breath with optical methods. Among the laboratory techniques he uses in his research are ultrasensitive laser absorption methods, like CRDS and multi-pass spectroscopy. His list of publications contains about 140 scientific papers, 187 conference communications and 33 invited conference talks, as well as five books and four patents.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Monday, September 15, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Art Galleries

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT For centuries, humanity has been fascinated with the microscopic world. Through advancements in technology, visually investigating this hidden landscape has become increasingly possible. One of these devices, the Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope, allows us to see the microscopic surface of things more clearly than ever before. The Art Galleries at MTU’s Rozsa Center are proudly hosting a juried exhibition of photographs taken by the Hitachi SEM during its residency at Michigan Tech. Titled Nanowonder, this exhibition is truly collaborative and emphasizes how powerful the relationship between science and the arts can be. See beyond the surface of your stuff for free! The Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope will be on location at the gallery reception on Friday September 26, 5-7pm. The reception is free, open to all, and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to bring a small (approx 1"x1"), dry, flat sample to be scanned by the microscope technicians. Support for this event provided by Hitachi, ACMAL (Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory) at Michigan Tech, A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department, Michigan Tech Biomedical Engineering Department, Michigan Tech Materials Science and Engineering Department, and Michigan Tech College of Sciences and Arts. Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1-8 p.m. EXHIBIT DATES | September 12-November 7, 2025 RECEPTION | Friday, September 26, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. ADMISSION| Free and open to the public CONTENT GUIDANCE | none Plan your visit with information about parking, accessibility, and more. Rozsa Art Galleries are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F and 1-8 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed during academic recesses. Contact the Rozsa Box Office for more information. Thanks to Our Sponsors Support for this Michigan Tech Art Event provided by: and the Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters. About the Presenter Professional exhibitions in the Rozsa Art Galleries. Student showcases. Artist Talks with Studio Here Now. Cross-campus collaborations. The Michigan Tech Art Series offers dynamic programming that supports Michigan Tech students and our wider community. Part of the the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone. View all Michigan Tech Art Series Events. Related Events Nanowonder: Images of the Microscopic World Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries September 12-November 7, 2025 Reception | Friday, September 26, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. Artful Intersections: Fall Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries November 21-December 2, 2025 Reception | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 5-7 p.m. Through the Quiet Hours: Night Sky Photography Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries January 16-23, 2026 Reception | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Women's Rights are Human Rights Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries January 30-March 28, 2026 Reception | Friday, January 30, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Beyond the Frame: Spring Student Art Showcase - Rozsa Art Galleries April 10-14, 2026 Reception | Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5-7 p.m. Explore upcoming Michigan Tech Art Events. Plan Your Visit to the Rozsa Rozsa Box Office InformationAccessibility Services Find a Digital ProgramPlan your Parking​ Get Involved Volunteer to UsherDonate to Support the RozsaMeet Our DonorsGet Updates via Email View All Upcoming Events Personal Responsibility Statement Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. The Rozsa Center provides content guidance to alert audience members to common potentially sensitive or distressing material. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with each event in order to make informed decisions prior to attending an event. Views Expressed Statement The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.

Plant Uptake and Transformation of Emerging Contaminants: Implications for Nature-based Remediation and Human Exposure

Monday, September 15, 3 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), 202

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar Greg LeFevre, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering | University of Iowa Abstract: Plants are all around us and have been a strong synergy between ecology and environmental engineering for decades. Plants can interact with pollutants both by helping to clean up environmental contaminants or may serve as an exposure route to humans for contaminants that are present in the food supply. In this seminar, I will present our research that probes mechanistic understanding of plant uptake and transformation processes for emerging organic contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure as a remediation approach and recycled water for crop irrigation as a potential human exposure route. Our group employs lab and field-based studies to understand what types of emerging contaminants are likely to be taken up by plants, passive vs. active uptake mechanisms, the first discovery of plant excretion, product to parent reversion of conjugated phytometabolites in the rhizosphere, and in vitro digestion simulations to assess contaminant bioaccessibility within plant tissues. We use high-resolution mass spectrometry for metabolomics and products/pathways discovery to determine what contaminants transform within plants and following digestion, and how plants respond to contaminant exposure. We also employ computational chemistry modeling approaches to enhance apriori predictive power. Understanding how plants take up and transform contaminants will enable better contaminated site clean up as well as ensuring clean food and water supplies. Bio: Greg is a proud Michigan Tech Husky Alum (class of 2007) and loves connecting engineering principles to nature-based solutions to improve environmental quality. He is an associate professor of environmental engineering and science in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa where he started in 2016. He did his BS at Michigan Tech, MS and PhD at the University of Minnesota, and Postdoc at Stanford University all in environmental engineering. The LeFevreLab focuses on elucidating biotransformation products and pathways of emerging organic contaminants with the goal of informing improved design of ‘engineered-natural’ treatment systems for non-point pollutants, like urban stormwater and agricultural drainage, and transform wastes into resources. Greg has received multiple sources of recognition for his work, including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the University of Iowa Early Career Scholar of the Year award, the American Chemical Society Editor’s Choice award and ACS Best Paper award, ES&T James Morgan award (honorary mention), the Royal Society of Chemistry Environmental Sciences ‘Best Paper’, National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering fellow, the AEESP Best Dissertation (both as a PhD student and faculty advisor), amongst others.

Psychology and Human Factors M&M Grand Opening

Monday, September 15, 3 p.m.–4 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 3rd Floor Coworking Space

Please join the Department of Psychology and Human Factors (PsyHF) today, Sept. 15, from 3-5 p.m. for the grand opening of our new home in the Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M). Guided tours, cake and coffee will provided. We look forward to seeing you there! Event Details: What: Department of Psychology and Human Factors Grand OpeningWhen: Monday, Sept. 15, from 3-5 p.m.Where: M&M Third Floor (enter the M&M through the door on the north side of Cliff Drive, then take the elevator down to the third floor)

EPSSI Seminar: Dr. Daisy Ning

Monday, September 15, 3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), Lobby (social) and Room 202 (lecture)

This event will be held in the GLRC. Refreshments and a social will be held at 3:30pm in the GLRC Lobby, with the lecture to follow at 4:00pm in GLRC 202. Dr. Daisy Ning, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Science at Michigan Tech, will give a talk on Monday, September 15. The title of the talk is "Integrating Subsurface Modeling and Monitoring for Sustainable Geoenergy Futures." Abstract: Achieving a sustainable geoenergy future requires the safe and efficient use of the subsurface for a variety of applications, including geothermal energy, hydrogen storage, and geological carbon sequestration (GCS). This requires a deep understanding of subsurface processes, predictive modeling, and real-time monitoring to ensure environmental safety and system reliability. Among these, GCS has emerged as a critical strategy for mitigating climate change by securely storing CO₂ in deep saline aquifers. This seminar will explore how integrating subsurface fluid flow simulation, coupled fluidgeomechanical modeling, and advanced fiber optic sensing can address key challenges in GCS and contribute to broader geoenergy applications. It begins by establishing the fundamentals of subsurface fluid flow simulation, emphasizing numerical modeling approaches for geological reservoirs. The discussion extends to coupled fluid-geomechanical simulations, essential for estimating reservoir deformation and ensuring long-term storage integrity. An integral component of the seminar is the application of distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) to monitor potential fractures induced by CO₂ injection, a key factor in preventing leakage and induced seismicity. By integrating computational modeling with real-time monitoring, this work advances not only secure, large-scale CO₂ sequestration but also builds a foundation for broader subsurface resources management. Bio: Daisy Ning is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Technological University. She earned her PhD in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, where she later served as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Geophysics. Her research spans carbon capture and storage (CCUS), geothermal energy, subsurface hydrogen storage, and critical minerals, with an interdisciplinary approach that integrates geoscience, engineering, and data science. She applies multiphase flow modeling, geomechanics, and fiber-optic sensing to advance subsurface energy systems and currently leads an $11 million DOE-funded carbon sequestration project in California focused on field-scale monitoring and predictive modeling for safe, long-term CO₂ storage.

Homecoming Stock Up and Sock Up & Non Compete Cornhole

Monday, September 15, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Walker Lawn

Swap canned goods for cool socks at our Homecoming Free Sock Giveaway - "Stock Up and Sock Up"! It’s a win-win: feed the community and freshen up your wardrobe—no strings attached! While supplies last--limited supply! Items donated go to the Husky Food Access Network, Clothing Closet, and Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter. Items accepted: Canned vegetables--beans, carrots, tomatoes, corn, peas, etc. Canned soups--bean soups, vegetable soups, chicken soups, canned stews, etc. Canned fruit--peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, pineapple, apple sauce Boxed dinner items--Hamburger Helper and rice dinners Canned beans--kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans/chickpeas, white beans, pinto beans, refried beans, chili beans, etc. Rice Pasta Pasta sauce Macaroni and cheese boxes Conditioner Shampoo Toothpaste and toothbrushes Soap or body wash Facewash Deodorant Lotion Chapstick Tampons and/or pads New Women’s underwear (all sizes) New Children's underwear (all sizes) New Socks (all sizes, adult and children) New Women's bras (all sizes) Cash/check donations accepted

Boys' Basketball Little Huskies League

Monday, September 15, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Gym

This league is open to boys entering grades 2 - 5 as of Fall 2025. Learning skills, working as a team, and having fun: that’s Michigan Tech’s Boys’ Basketball Little Huskies League. It’s about the best introduction to basketball you can imagine—personalized coaching that emphasizes both individual skills and team play, with plenty of time for gently competitive games in the Multipurpose Room. And Michigan Tech’s campus is a great environment for meeting new people and making friends. Kids can wear their league shirts to Men's Basketball home games for free admission!

MAE External Advisory Board - Resume Review

Monday, September 15, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | R.L. Smith Building (MEEM, Building 20), ME-EM Lobby

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) External Advisory Board (EAB) is a select group of corporate, university, and government leaders, many of whom are Michigan Tech alumni. EAB members share their expertise and provide assistance with curriculum direction, research topics, resource development, and education-and-industry partnership. They offer professional insight and provide valuable input'shaping the engineering education that takes place in the MAE department. These experts from industry will be available to review your resume in the lobby.

Leading in an AI Generative Era

Monday, September 15, 5 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 722

How is generative AI changing the way we lead, work, and make decisions? Join the Pavlis Honors College for a conversation with Bob Doyle, President and CEO of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), as he explores what it means to lead in a time of rapid technological disruption. Drawing on his experience guiding an organization of more than 17,500 members, Bob will share insights into how AI is reshaping industries, leadership, and the future of professional practice. This is your chance to consider not just where AI is taking us—but how we can step up as leaders in the era of generative technology. Everyone is welcome! About the Speaker Bob Doyle brings a unique blend of engineering, management, and communications expertise, with degrees from Michigan Tech, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Wayne State University. His career spans leadership roles in automation, environmental engineering, public relations, and strategic communications. Bob also serves on the Pavlis Honors College External Advisory Board.

Nordic Ski Club Informaiton Meeting

Monday, September 15, 6 p.m.–6 p.m. | Fisher Hall

Come find out about the opportunities available through the Nordic (cross country) ski club! We are open to all abilities, and travel to a series of optional competitive races, as well as providing equipment storage and, and ski waxing equipment at the tech trails. Join us in Fisher hall room 130 on September 15th at 6:00 pm. Cant make it? Email nordicskiclub@mtu.edu and ask to be sent a summary of the meeting.

General Meeting

Monday, September 15, 7 p.m.–7 p.m. | Fisher 101

KS at MTU weekly general meeting.